If one seeks citizenship, housing, and work in Riverfall, a guest or visitor must apply here first.

(This is a thread from Mizahar's fantasy role playing forums. Why don't you register today? This message is not shown when you are logged in. Come roleplay with us, it's fun!)

Built into the cliffs overlooking the Suvan Sea, Riverfall resides on the edge of grasslands of Cyphrus where the Bluevein River plunges off the plain and cascades down to the inland sea below. Home of the Akalak, Riverfall is a self-supporting city populated by devoted warriors. [Riverfall Codex]

Many a day, one might find small groups of young Akalak congregating around the boards of the Riverfall Labor Aid. As well, foreigners looking to stay in the cliff side city flock to this small structure for jobs. However, this endeavor is not always successful for the latter.

The Citizenship and Labor Aid Office is rather innocuous for a building ran directly by Riverfall's government. It is a small structure, only two stories high with a lofty false third story. Only half of its stone facade is visible, the other portion retreating into the base of the cliff. Located near the front gates, one cannot miss the Citizenship Office passing in and out of the main gates. A nondescript, manicured lawn extends several yards out from its base, a worn stone pathway leads to the doorway. The door itself is heavy, waxed wood to prevent the water from warping it in the frame.

Upon entering the Labor Aid, one is immediately struck with the simplicity of the design. To the right is a staircase that wraps itself around the inner wall of the structure, leading up to the second floor. In the center of the room is a large oaken reception desk, an Akalak secretary seated behind it most of the day. Often this is piled with records and documents from various Akalak business' and students. To the one's immediate left upon entry can be found a pair of bulletin boards with various advertisements and help wanted posters.

The second floor contains a gymnasium designed to be used to administer Kuvan tests.

The Citizenship and Labor Aid Office is not a place many Akalak frequent, but a rather important one in any case. Within the confines of this structure is a folder for every Akalak business, and every employee within. It contains records of the career paths chosen by Akalak children, and regularly keeps them updated and archived. As such, the Labor Aid serves primarily as a function for children embarking upon a career path. Children will go to the Labor Aid and receive their form, and return it to the office. Upon which the Labor Aid will return a series of names for the child, these names being mentors the young one might approach. This serves as a dual function, one to ensure each Akalak has successfully chosen a career path, and secondarily to get them entered into the system.

If a citizen's business requires assistance and cannot find it for some reason, they will also come to the Labor Aid. By posting an advertisement on the bulletins, one ensures that many foreigners and younger Akalak will see said notice. Given, this is not the most common event, as many times there is a small pool of eager apprentices a business already knows of that they might pick from. Regardless, the board is often full as any number of other advertisements can be found on the bulletins.

Every business owner must register their employees with the Labor Aid, regardless of whether or not it utilized it to obtain said assistance. Riverfall makes a point to keep track of every worker to ensure that no citizen finds itself contributing nothing to the city.

This office is also authorized to sell buildings to Kuvan and above in Riverfall. You must be Kuvan to own businesses or housing unless otherwise arranged by The Council.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Upon approaching Malin and Malix's desk, he will quietly ask you if you are there for a job or for citizenship or both. Depending upon your answer, he will push forward one of two forms or both. Then quietly he will say... "Please fill out the following..." Pen and ink are available as well as a wrap around desk with multiple seats to either side of his desk. One can settle there and fill out the paper work to get started. Once you turn in the form, a job will be offered or suggested. It might be up to the individual to go impress the employer enough to gain the position. If you turn in your citizenship form, a evaluation will be scheduled and then upon passing the evaluation, you will be marked at Riverfall Ink with your citizenship tattoo.

Malin and Malix are second generation Labor and Citizenship Officers. They administrate all the dealings in the citizenship and labor aid office, keep track of its records and administer the tests for citizenship with the weapon type spear. Malin and Malix are both fair, organized and polite. They enjoy the company of others and like meeting new people.

Malin loves to be social while Malix loves to talk business. Being a well adjusted Akalak, the two men often switch mid sentence and

Kuvan Citizenship Status

In Riverfall, to have any rights, one must be a Kuvan. Qualifying as a Kuvan is fairly simple. All you need to do is be competent in a weapon and employed in a profession that supports yourself and aids the city in some way. To apply for citizenship, you must come to this office, request to be tested, and then face an Akalak trainer in a combat scenario with the weapon of your choice. You will then be evaluated. If you pass and are considered competent, you will receive your Kuvan Tattoo. A singular self-moderated, guest moderated, or staff moderated thread must be written to display your Kuvan test and evaluation. Instructors vary according to the weapon evaluation requested. Unarmed combat competency will also meet the Kuvan requirement. The Kuvan tattoo is applied under the wrist and is styled as shown. The series of circles and waves indicate the year and season the tattoo was made and citizenship acquired.

Riverfall is pyramidal in hierarchy. The top layers all consist of Akalak as well. At the top rests Nevar Chivan, Riverfalls Leader. He is not the end-all-be-all of rule however since Riverfall was never designed to be a monarchy. The real power lies in the Council of Ten that govern Riverfall on a day to day basis. Beneath that are all those eligible to be Council if they wish it (and spots open up). These include all the Akalak of good standing who are over the age of 200 who have also been Exalted for a number of years, preferably in their early 100's. Esteemed fall next and these are the Akalak who have successfully given Riverfall a son. Beneath the Esteemed lie all the adult Akalak and the majority of the population. Next follow the Akalak Adults, all who have passed the Rite of Passage. Beneath them lie all the Akalak children in Riverfall, regardless of age or trial successions. Beneath them are those women the Akalaks are married too. Nakivak's fall next, being indentured breeders for the Akalak. Next come the Kuvan. Every Akalak starts out as a Kuvan though non-Akalak peoples of Riverfall can join their ranks. There is a requirement for Kuvan status. To become a Kuvan, you must have a competency level in a weapon or unarmed combat (thus be able to fight for the city) and be employed in or around Riverfall. Kuvan status may be applied for in the Citizenship and Labor Aid Office. Beneath the Kuvan and making up the bottom layer are kelvics. Female kelvics are given preferential treatment over males, but by and large kelvic are treated as animals or livestock and allowed to roam where they will. All other peoples are considered guests and of no rank in Riverfall.

The Hierarchy of Riverfall

Leader of Riverfall - Nevar Chivan

Council of Ten - Elected Leadership Board chosen from Elders

Elders - Wise men of the Akalak over the age of 200

Exalted - Adult male with a grandson

Esteemed - Adult Male with one son

Adult - Akalak over the age of 30 who has passed his Rite of Passage

Children - Akalak under the age of 30

Wives - Women the Akalak have married.

Nakivak - Women the Akalak have contracted and bound to sire children for them. These females are the property of Riverfall.

Kuvan - Denizens of Riverfall that are non-ranking Akalak and foreigners. These can be any sex, race etc.

Kelvics & Slaves - Considered property and pets of the Akalak, Nakivak, and Kuvan. Females are more valuable than males and female kelvics carrying Akalak children are protected in Riverfall in the same way a wife or Nakivak would be.

Guests. Any visitor to Riverfall. These people have no citizenship, no rights, but must obey the laws and are somewhat protected under city law.

The air was still cool from the night when Rosela stepped outside that morning. The smell of early morning dew hung in the air as she walked away from her cottage slowly, and she breathed it deeply. The desert had its own morning dew, but Riverfall’s foliage brought out the smell of it. The smell gave her hope for some reason, as she made off to accomplish her goal for the day - getting a job.

The Labor Aid building was a bit plain, in her opinion, but then she was never one for architecture anyway. Pushing through the heavy door, she saw an Akalak man behind the front desk and stopped her eyebrows from rising in surprise. It was a bit surreal to see a muscular man sitting behind a desk, but she supposed someone had to do the job.

”Ahem…Hi.” She gave him her sweetest smile and dialed up the pheromones. The pamphlet at the refuge said Akalaks were typically preferred for jobs, but charm was always worth a shot. ”I’m new in town, and I’m trying to find a job? And I think I need the citizenship form too.” She bit her lip as two hands skirted across the surface of the desk, and another pair clasped coquettishly behind her back. The Akalak, either Malin or Malix according to the nameplate, looked up at her calmly, and hesitated before speaking. Unsure if her charm had worked or if he was just collecting his thoughts, Rosela kept her smile up and waited for him to speak. After what seemed an eternity, he calmly pulled two forms from the file next to him and slid them in front of her.

“Please fill out the following…”

Self esteem dropped a bit at his cool response, but she tried to buck up as she took the forms to the working desk. Maybe he was married. Maybe he was gay.

She’d walked in expecting an interview, so it was quick work to convert all her prepared responses to the written forms. A brief spell check, and she was back in front of Malin/Malix, sliding her form back over the smooth oak of his desk.

Ishara sighed and stared up at the facade that arched above her. The Labor Aide office had been one of the suggestions echoed by several of the families she'd aided in the aftermath of the storm. As work had run out, and food had become scarce, the little Benshiran could appreciate the wisdom of such a suggestion...But her trepidation and lack of confidence in any one skill had her backpeddling the first few times she'd made this trek.

Not this time.

She didn't consider herself above charity, but she was reluctant to let what few friends she'd made thus far in Riverfall know of her situation. She had to prove she could do this herself...that was what striking out on your own was all about, after all, was it not? A frown wrinkled her brow, and she adjusted the strap of her satchel across one shoulder uneasily as she took her place in line. It was also highly probable that whatever job she'd be assigned wouldn't exactly suit her tastes. The prospect of pay for hard work made this possibility less bitter, though, as Ishara considered the merits of a full stomach. Her fishing skills were atrocious. She'd hardly even looked twice at the lagoon since those horrid bladewings...

The Akalak man in front of her stepped aside, having received his assignement. Here goes...

"Hi!" Ishara flashed a nervous grin as she reached the counter, which nearly came level with her chin. A glance was spared after the departing Akalak, who towered over her at nearly half again her height. She'd heard rumors regarding the reproduction of Akalak, rumors involving the participation of female residents in Riverfall. Surely that wouldn't be the 'job' they offered her? They have a different way of going about that here, surely, Ishara reassured herself uneasily. She swallowed back her apprehension, and cleared her throat. "I'm here for a job." The blank and expectant stare that met her over the counter spurred her on quickly..."Just like everyone else, that is. Ah...I can clean, cook a bit, ride horses, tell stories..." she began ticking these attributes off of her fingers, her confidence plummeting along with her volume, and Ishara felt some hesitation coming on...

A throat clearing stilled her words, and she glanced up at man as he slid a sheet of paper across the desk towards her. Beside it he placed a pen. A brief smile preceded his words..."Please, fill this out."

"Th-...ah, thank you." Ishara picked up the pen and pulled the leaflet of paper closer to her. She ran her eyes over it once, then bent to apply her answers...When it got down to what kind of jobs she preferred, she hesitated. Since her stay in Riverfall, many of the days filled with 'work' were centered around assisting families repairing their homes after the Djed storm. Her training with Serriff didn't exactly prepare her for an employed position, unless perhaps it was with him and his medicines. She could keep a place tidy. She'd worked with the horses her brothers trained and raised.

Once completed, she slid the paper back across the desk and placed the pen neatly on top with a silent prayer. At this point, she was pretty determined that even if they offered her a position cleaning out the sewers, she would sleep with a full belly by the end of this week.

"What creature is this which dances beneath my eye?A desert-bred mortal who's beastial sinew and heartLay forged in the firey breath of Yahal's sigh!Watch, as the soul surfs upon the wind and slowly breaks apart..."

Malin was at the helm today and was by far the more sensible of the two. When the six armed woman came in he simply raised an eyebrow and handed her the forms she would require. Once she had them filled out, he nodded, and handed her yet another slip of paper.

"Arril will give you a test if you give her this authorization paper. She's an official tester for bow in Riverfall. Once you've demonstrated your competency, she'll give you a token and you can take it to Riverfall Ink. They will give you your citizenship tattoo. Come back here and I'll verify the whole thing in your paper work when its done." He said politely, giving her directions to The Stained Pelt outside of the city.

"Now, as for employment, I'd suggest opening your own sewing shop or clothing store. There's really nothing for seamstress' in terms of employment currently and I personally know there's been talk in the market about your excellent tastes and that you've helped locals shop. We have a number of vacant buildings. Since your planning on citizenship and being here for a while, the Council has authorized me to loan likely candidates startup money for businesses and to help provide them locations to house businesses. All you need to do is write up a Business Plan, submit it to me, and if its reasonable, I'll finance and get you started with property." He said, giving her an informational packet on business plans.

Then quietly he waited for her response.

ooc info :

Feel free to run a small self moderated thread to do your successful trial using the npc and once that's done pop into Riverfall Ink for the citizenship tattoo. Then show him the tat when you get back with your business plan. I'll be around to help with the business plan if you need assistance. The best way to actually start one is to come up with an inventory list (what you'll sell) and services you can provide and we'll build you a plan around that.

Malix watched the pretty lady approach with a grin, already mentally picking out what she'd want to do jobwise. He'd assumed she needed a job. The girl didn't look like the type that wanted property or citizenship. But then again, maybe she did.

"Greetings. I see you've filled a form out. Let me see what you'd qualify for that's available today. We have different jobs on different days. Here's whats happening today..." He said, pulling out various slips of paper and looking at them as if each and every one of them were fascinating.

"Ahh...." He said, handing her three slips of paper. The words were in common, but in case she couldn't read he read them for her.

Vin's Smokehouse - Cigar and Wine Girl - 3 Gm per day. * This is a server position behind the counter. One must be able to count money and change back, and will be required to gain knowledge of tobacco products and dreamsmoke.

"Vin pays good and his girls are treated well. They really only need to look pretty and keep the drinks going. They also clean though and have to be unaffected by flirtatious men. You look like you could do the job." He said kindly.

The Stables - Groom and Stall Cleaner - 1 Gm per day*Must be able to work around horses, lift heavy things, operate wheel barrows and clean effectively and efficiently.

"The Stables is always hiring. They pay the going rate, but its not much I'm afraid. If you were a competent rider, you could probably get a job at the Sanctuary teaching lessons. They always need help and they pay more. But the Stables is a good starting point if you want to work with horses." Malix said, nodding.

"The Gull is a good place to work if you don't mind a lot of behind the scenes chaos. That family is huge and its always running around. The restaurant part is a nice high end place. They feed their staff meals before and after as well so thats a big bonus." Malix said, looking to see if she was interested in any of those jobs.

"If you don't like those, there will be more available tomorrow....perhaps different ones." he added.

"There is also yet another option. Riverfall is always looking for Nakivak if you do not want to work at all. You can enter into a breeding contract with a Rivarian for a set price and have them set you up with housing, food, and an expense account in exchange for the accessibility of your body. I am obligated to explain this to all women who come here seeking jobs of the appropriate age. Many choose the option and never have to work again because of the lucrative nature of their service. Since you are lovely, I would not take less than five thousand and full support in Miza's for your services." Malix added, deliberately running his eyes over her form. "You look healthy and strong. You could probably even get more." He added.

I’sona wandered with unblinking eyes, trying hard to take in everything and not fall over as she stared at the ceiling. Every was just so big! It was as if everything reached to some point she couldn’t see, like coves under the water that seemed to go on forever. And she was still getting used to the way the air cooled against her skin, drying it and distracting her so she nearly ran directly into the desk.

Smiling at the taller man, even from behind his desk he seemed to loom. “I is—are—am. I am looking for to be a citizen and to have a job.”

For a moment she wondered if her Common had gotten worse but the Akalak smiled pleasantly enough and slid her two forms. Informing her to fill them both out and return them. She struggled for a few moments, speaking the questions out slowly and patiently so they made sense. The Charoda felt a bit embarrassed at taking so long but slid the forms back.

“I am hoping I filled them out right.”

Kuvan Citizenship FormName: I'sonaRace: CharodaAge: 23Competency In: I am Novice in Khopesh.Employment: I am not having job yet.Expected Stay In Riverfall: I am not knowing.

Malin watched the Charoda walk into his office, handed her the forms, then reviewed what she'd written. He frowned over her citizenship paperwork while Malix oggled the charoda, finding her exotically attractive. "She's not bad." He whispered to his brother, uring him to lift his head and eyes from the paperwork to give his darker half a better look. "You don't see her kind around here very often, but oh she looks fun. Delicious, in fact. Ask her out." Malin simply shrugged off his darker half, and handed the paperwork back."I'm afraid there's a problem with your citizenship. We require all Kuvan to be COMPETENT in either a weapon or unarmed combat so if the city is ever under attack you can help defend it. By becoming a Kuvan or Citizen, you are gaining the ability to vote, sit in on Council meetings and all sorts of things." Malin raised his voice. Malix snickered in the back of his mind. "She's not deaf. She's just not used to speaking common. Ask her out."

"I can't offer you citizenship until your weapon skill can be tested competent. Please feel free to seek some additional training in one of the Sasarans. Many of them teach Kopesh. Then bring this form back with an update when you are competent then you can have your test and be done with it." He said smiling. "And we get to see her again. THEN you can ask her out." Malix interjected to his brother, interrupting his train of thought."Now, as for jobs... we have three that might suit you. One seems to be what you are requesting. Let me see..." He rumaged through a pile of job cards and produced three. "If you don't like any of these, come back tomorrow and we might have different ones." He said, looking fairly certain she'd choose one. "This first one I think is the best. But you might like the other two as well." Malin said carefully. He was sure to read slowly.

Valereig's Gem Shop - Abalone Diver - 4 gm a day *This position is to supply the jewelry store with fresh abalone shell for its inlays.

"This one is a position that's paid by The Council. It doesn't pay very well, but its steady." He said looking thoughtful and reading off the card to her.

Wavemaster Shipwrighting - Hull Inspector - 2 Gm per day*This position requires someone who will be able to inspect hulls on ships while they are underwater and rate the amount of barnacles and other damage to them to access repairs required and cleaning fees. Training offered.

He read off a second one, looking skeptical she'd want it. Then he pulled a card from the stack once more, nodding.

Laviku's Secret - Fisherman - 3 Gm per day*This position requires a fisherman or woman willing to take custom orders and fill them on short notice to supply this dining ship with a captians selection for nightly dinners. This is an every day position unless other arrangements are made.

Malin smiled while Malix secretly checked out the Chardoa's sparkling eyes once more. "Anything interest you there?" He asked, willing to repeat anything she didn't understand.

For various reasons, Kavala had been putting off registering to be a citizen, but now that she was no longer a Nakivak, she had no rights unless she did so. It was important to get that tattoo and thus a voice in The Council. Plus, by law, Riverfall required all employers to track their employees at this office, so she had a list of employees to drop off and add to The Sanctuary's file.

"Greetings Malix. Malin. I'm here to drop this list off. We have several new employees and I wanted them to go on record as being employed with The Sanctuary. In addition, I'd like a Citizenship form." She smiled sweetly and Malix handed her a form. "Certainly, Kavala. Thanks for the update." Malixx had dealt with the Konti before. Every time she hired she had to drop by and update her files. While it was a lot of paperwork, it was good for the city because they knew who was around and who wasn't.

Malix handed her the form, she carefully filled it out, and handed it back.

He looked over her form, nodded, and smiled. "I have time to have an instructor here tomorrow for your competency test. Which would you like to take it in?" He asked. "Daggers please." She added. He nodded, and handed her a slip of paper. "Be here at noon." He smiled, and she nodded, thanking him and headed out.

This pc is maxed out in Animal Husbandry, Medicine, Observation, Rhetoric, and Socialization.

Kavala a Master Teacher. Students she is teaching in thread can earn more than the maxium 5 XP per thread.

This pc has a Konti Gift of Animal Empathy. She has a superpower from a Riverfall city event that allows animals of all sorts and Kelvics (in kelvic form) to speak clear understandable Common around her.

Kavala is a Konti but was raised in the Drykas culture so her accent is entirely Pavi though she can speak Common, Pavi, and Tukant well. She's only conversational in Kontinese.

“I will be having to practice more then.” I’sona said with a grimacing smile, she didn’t really want to have anything to do with that part of citizenship but she would cross that bridge when she got to it. “Oh yes! There is the fishing that is interesting me. I is liking that one please.”

She gave him a genuine smile this time, “I is just having to go to this…this Laviku’s Secret place for my job?”

She was excited to be started. Catching fish was fun, like a game of tag that she didn’t always win. She stood unsure for moment though, not knowing if she could just leave or if there were more papers to fill out. Rather than voice her confusion she just waited, watching the other curiously, they could almost be Charodae if not for the fact that they were so very large and blue rather than green like many of her people.

Citizenship tattoo still itching on her skin, Rosela returned within days to turn in her business plan. She'd worked tirelessly on it, and wanted nothing more than to turn it in, go home, and take a nap. After waking up in the middle of the night previous with a revelation about selling women's unmentionables - an underused marked in Riverfall - she had spent most of the night alternatively building up and paring down her price list. She knew logically that she could always add more to the list later, as she became more comfortable with her lineup, but it felt absolutely necessary that she get everything perfect, every step of the way. Her venture would not fail over something so simple as poor planning.

Malin/Malix was at the desk, as before, and Rosela strode up to the front of it confidently. "Ahem. I have my business plan. And I got tested for my citizenship," she added belatedly, offering her tattooed wrist as proof. The complicated pattern of swirls was interesting, in their own way, but she still hadn't grown accustomed to having a permanent mark on her skin. One finger nudged the clipped pile of papers across the desk towards him. It consisted of her final draft on her last pieces of paper - the multitude of drafts, scribbled on and notated, were scattered across her dining table at home.